HSE lifts the lid on electrical safety test rules

Posted on May 09^th 2012

Most liability insurance customers take their responsibilities for the wellbeing of their employees and customers seriously. However, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has highlighted unnecessary costs to business with the over-testing of electrical equipment.

Many electrical safety testing companies have been offering 'misleading advice' to low-risk businesses in order to get them to carry out maintenance checks and portable appliance tests (PAT) above and beyond what the law considers to be reasonable to ensure safety.

As a result, many companies believe that all portable electrical appliances have to be tested at least once a year. However, the HSE has released new guidelines explaining that the law only requires employers to make sure that electrical equipment is well maintained and not dangerous.

There are NO stipulations in UK law about the frequency when tests should be carried out. Not testing annually won't affect your liability insurance in the event of an accident.

HSE Chair Judith Hackitt said of the new guidelines, "Businesses are responsible for protecting their employees, but they shouldn't be wasting their money on unnecessary checks that have no real benefit."

The HSE hopes their new guidelines will save UK businesses an estimated £30 million a year without having a detrimental effect on employee safety. As long as your liability insurance is up-to-date and electrical appliances are fixed in the event of fraying cables, short fuses or obvious damage, annual electrical maintenance tests could be wholly unnecessary.

Related links

Health and Safety Executive press release on appliance testing

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